2015 d'Issan
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Tasting notes
Tasted during the Academie du Vin dinner, which this year celebrated vintages ending in 5. The choice was pretty overwhelming, but this really stoood out, and it's a wine that I also had a home a few times this year, and can fully recommend. It's really coming into its drinking window, reflecting a revitalisted Issan showing great precision and personality. Expect waves of autumnal raspberry and cranberry, gunsmoke, campfire, grilled cocoa bean and caramel, mint leaf and black tea. Just the right amount of sweet fruit and fresh acidities. The 70th anniversary of the Cruse family at Issan.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Muddy garnet. Smells a bit old. But has current charm. (JR)
The 2015 Château d'Issan has a potent bouquet with bold toasty black plum and gamey scents. There's possibly just a bit of Brettanomyces here. The palate is pure and medium-bodied with a pleasant fluidity, a keen bead of acidity and a tensile finish. This is modern in style and well made, yet I am certain this bottle was not showing at its peak. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.
Love a good bottle of Issan, just such a consistently enjoyable Margaux, and this is at a great moment to drink, beginning to fully soften and widen through the mid palate. Smoked caramel, roses, crushed raspberry, tobacco, liquorice, mandarin peel, with a fresh mint leaf lift on the finish. The 70th anniversary of the Cruse family at Issan, tasted separately to the rest of the horizontal.